Particle physics is a branch of physics that studies the fundamental building blocks of matter and their interactions. It is important because it helps us understand how the universe works at the smallest scales and has led to many technological advancements.
Special relativity is a theory proposed by Albert Einstein to explain the relationship between space and time. It differs from classical mechanics by stating that the laws of physics are the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion.
Quantum mechanics is a theory that describes the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic level. It is considered revolutionary because it introduced the concept of uncertainty and challenged our understanding of classical physics.
Particle accelerators are machines that use electromagnetic fields to accelerate particles to high speeds. They are used in particle physics research to study the properties of particles and in medical applications for cancer treatment.
The Heisenberg uncertainty principle states that it is impossible to know the exact position and momentum of a particle at the same time. This means that there will always be a level of uncertainty in our measurements and our understanding of the physical world is limited by this principle.